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WPC 2008 Commentary: Round 14

Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22, Round 23.

Round 14

So, this rounds starts with a puzzle of sorts. It is called the "Where in the world is Amnuay Ploysangngam (THA) game." He was just here for the game after lunch, but is suddenly missing for game 2 of the afternoon. Wilma has the front desk call him room, which ends up being the thing to do. Amnuay had gone up to his room and FALLEN ASLEEP! Poor guy, so very exhausted that he grabbed a tiny catnap that knew no boundaries. His clock was started, but he made it back a bit disheveled, but ready for his game.

John Luebkemann (USA) played Nigel Richards (MYS) this round. I ask who won and John says, "it was a BRRR brutal game." I wanted to ask him how he really felt about the game, but feared he might show me more new items of clothing...."

Geoff Thevenot (USA) demonstrated a couple hundred plus points of game superiority to Albert Hahn (CAN) this round, winning their matchup, 508-304. I see Geoff's RIZARDS for 126 +5 for the challenge. He also played WHARFAGE/TWO/SHA for 90 points! NOnETTE went down for Geoff and he played the vowel dump of EPINAOI through the N. DETERGES through the second E was Albert's best play.

"He creamed me." This comes from Dave Wiegand (USA) as I approach his just completed game against Phil Robertshaw (Eng). I almost get whiplash as I don't think I've ever heard anything remotely like that from Dave before. The thing is, Dave is smiling. Perhaps a kinda stunned smile, but it's there. His opponent is such a sweetheart, it would be hard to imagine any other response to his success. Dave gestured to three almost back to back "bee" themed words played by Phil: OENOmELS for 78, BEEHIVE for 90, and the TOTALLY AWESOMELY GORGEOUSLY NESTLED AVIANIZES through the V, fitting the A in to make QAT, for 86 points. Phil sorta sheepishly said, "oh, only 86 points." And I said, "Yeah, but 1,000 style points." And Dave nodded in agreement. Phil also played CEMENTA for 70. Dave got down SENORITA for 68, but lost, 319-532.

This tournament is a Dickensesque experience for Travis Chaney (USA) in the "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" sense. After his disappointing day 1, Travis broke his scoring record this morning with a 646 versus Louis Reed (USA). However, this round, he broke that record, too! With his opponent shaking her head, he slid his score sheet over to my side of the table. Travis opened with the vertical OILETS for 66. This next play was AENEOUS, creating AL, EL, NE, ET, and OS for 69. Then came SPURRiNG for 83 + 5 (for the challenge) followed by TEAZElS for 133. BEADILY for 103 + 5 (for the challenge) was next and his final bingo was an autobiographical play of UNPOLITE through the P for 74 +5 (you are getting the point). He had a six bingo game to Carmel's one: SECRETE for 84. It was a 698-312 win for Travis.

Sam Dick-Onuoha (USA) vs. Victor Ikawa (BHR). I like this board. Sam played RETRAINS through the I for 71 and then played COMPEL across the top triple lane front hooking to create PRETRAINS for 67 +5 (for the challenge). YEASTIER was played for 86 (by Victor, maybe) and then the outbingo from the E of ETHOXIDE for 104 + 5. Wow! Sam's win, 463-344.

I run into Victor Ikawa (BHR) outside the playing room between rounds and he tells me how much he's enjoying this event. Where he's living, he tends to be the best player and here he gets to see how much he has to learn and what the world competition is really like. He anticipates being much better the next time they meet up and he wants to play at the next WPC. Talk about speaking words we want to hear!

Mark Kenas (USA) played Sanmi Odelana (Eng) this round. I see Sanmi's INSIDER and NEUROTIC. Mark played CONSERvER from the C. Mark won this game, 448-409. He points out that he started this round and last round with VAV on his opening rack. His next round opponent, John Luebkemann (USA), hears this and says, "Let's go for three in a row!"

The fight for first place continues to be close with Nigel Richards (MYS) out in front by a win. Theresa Camilleri (MLT), Adrian Tamas (ROM), Amit Chakrabarti (USA), and Marty Gabriel (USA) are keeping Nigel in their sight!